Smokescreen: A Collection of Vignettes

Chapter 13

Tomas Vrbada, even with his mask on, blushed. He thought he had been rather slick with his advances towards Sakura. Turned out that she knew what he had been up to and didn't say anything to him. Thankfully, she hadn't minded it at all. Now that he had time to think about it, she had even welcomed it. He released a sigh of relief. That would have been awful if she had rejected him. Her sweet giggle broke into his thoughts.

"You know," Sakura started. "I've been waiting for you since the first day that we met."

"You've been waiting for me that long?"

Sakura nodded. For real, though. That long? The Elder Gods had seemed to have finally blessed him at last. The gray-eyed man gazed up at the sky, the moon full and stars shining. He could hardly believe it. As soon as he had first laid eyes on her, he had become smitten. If he had to pinpoint where he had fallen hard for her, well, it was when she deflected Bi-Han's ice attack with her bare hand and watching her just manhandle his brother in a sparring match. Bi-Han hadn't been happy about it. Tomas chuckled at the memory, though he could've sworn he saw grudging respect in his eyes.

The young woman took Smoke's arm and attached herself to it, snuggling into his side. It surprised him, but it was easy to get used to. They stood there for a while, enjoying the silence of the night. The couple were just outside of Sakura's home in the mountains of Japan. She had wanted to return home for a little time for herself and enjoy the hot springs that she loved. It had been her personal haven. Now, it was theirs.

Tomas looked down at Sakura. Though she didn't know it, the Shirai Ryu compound had been established just miles away from her. He had been pleased by this recent development. He felt better knowing that he was close by to watch over her. He was her personal guardian angel. He would not fail her, like he had failed his family.

"Hm?"

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Sakura shifted her position so she could look up at him. Her bright, violet eyes stared up at her new lover. She felt like the luckiest woman in the world. She gingerly removed his mask. He was the most handsome man in the world, she thought. He was kind, brave, and powerful. She felt the safest when she was with him.

"This feels so right."

The man simply nodded. He was about to share his sentiments before her lips had touched his.

Heaven.